In spite of all our recent victories, hardworking people continue to experience pervasive discrimination in the workplace – and even lose their jobs – because of their sexual orientation, gender identity or HIV status.

Following the introduction of the Equality Act in July, questions have arisen about just how the bill is designed to protect LGBT people and its potential impact on employers, businesses and religious entities.

What Just Happened
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued a landmark ruling this week that the sex discrimination provisions of Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act protect employees who suffer discrimination because of their sexual orientation.

Today the U.S. Supreme Court reaffirmed an important principle — that Title VII the section of the Civil Rights Act that protects employment — means what it says and should not be tinkered with by judges.

Today, United States District Judge Timothy C. Batten, Sr. found the City of Atlanta in contempt of court and imposed sanctions for the city’s failure to comply with a prior Settlement and Consent Order on behalf of patrons at the Atlanta Eagle Bar, whose constitutional rights were violated when the Atlanta Police Department raided the Atlanta Eagle without a warrant and searched and detained dozens of patrons who were not suspected of committing any crime.